A building is classified as a taller building if its height exceeds 350 meters. To be considered the tallest building, it is evaluated based on its highest architectural feature. In the world, there are 80 buildings with heights equal to or surpassing 350 meters, all featuring exceptional architectural designs. Below, we’ll delve into the top 10 tallest man-made buildings globally.
Burj Khalifa
The world’s tallest building is located in Dubai. Its architectural style is Neo-futurism. On January 4, 2010, it was officially opened, with a construction cost of $1.5 billion. Owned by Emaar Properties, the building is known as the Burj Khalifa. It stands at an impressive height of 829.8 meters, with the top floor situated at 585.4 meters above the ground. With 163 floors, the Burj Khalifa boasts a floor area of 309,473 square meters. Interestingly, one floor is located below ground level. To move within the building, 57 lifts are available for the convenience of visitors and occupants alike.
The renowned architect Adrian Smith designed the building, while Bill Baker served as the structural engineer responsible for its stability and strength. Overseeing the construction was Samsung C&T, the main contractor tasked with bringing this grand structure to life. Furthermore, the Burj Khalifa provides ample parking space with two subterranean levels dedicated to parking facilities.
Merdeka 118
The world’s second tallest building is located in Kuala Lumpur. It follows the architectural style of Neo-futurism and was constructed at a cost of $1.5 billion USD. PNB Merdeka Ventures SDN BHD is the owner of Merdeka 118, standing at a height of 678.9 m.
Merdeka 118 comprises 118 floors, including 5 below ground level. Each floor covers an area of 292,000 m² and accommodates 87 lifts. The renowned architect, Fender Katsalidis, designed the building, and the main contractor responsible for its construction was the Samsung C&T UEM group.
Shanghai Tower
The world’s third tallest building is located in Shanghai. On February 2, 2015, it was officially opened to the public. Its construction cost amounted to CN¥ 15.7 billion, and it was funded and owned by Shanghai Chengtou. The building’s impressive height measures 632 meters, with its top floor positioned at 587.4 meters above the ground.
With a total of 128 floors, the building includes 5 floors underground. Each floor covers an area of 380,000 m², providing ample space for various purposes. Inside, there are 97 lifts that facilitate vertical transportation for its occupants. The architects responsible for this magnificent structure were Jun Xia and Marshall Strabala, while the main contractor overseeing the construction was the Shanghai construction group.
Abraj Al Bait
The world’s fourth-tallest building is situated in Mecca.In 2012, this building was officially opened, with a construction cost of $15 billion USD.It stands at an impressive height of 601 meters, and its top floor is at a height of 494 meters.
The building boasts 120 floors, including 3 floors below ground level.Each floor covers an area of 310,638 square meters, providing ample space.
With 96 lifts, the building efficiently transports people throughout its vast structure.The architects behind this masterpiece were Dar Al-Handasah and SL Rasch GmbH.
The Saudi Binladin Group served as the building’s main contractor.Additionally, the building’s structural engineers were Dar Al-Handasah and SL Rasch GmbH.
Ping An International Finance Centre
The world’s fifth tallest building is located in Shenzhen. Opening its doors on March 28, 2017, its construction came at a cost of $1.5 billion. Standing at a height of 599.1 meters, the top floor reaches 555.1 meters above the ground.
With 120 floors in total, this remarkable building has 5 floors situated below ground level. Each floor covers an extensive area of 385,918 square meters. To facilitate the movement within, the building boasts 80 lifts.
The architectural mastermind behind this structure was Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, while China Construction First Building Group took on the role of the main contractor. To ensure its structural integrity, Thornton Tomassetti served as the building’s structural engineer.
Lotte World Tower
The world’s sixth tallest building is located in Seoul. It was opened on April 3, 2017. Standing at a height of 554.5 meters, its top floor reaches 497.65 meters above the ground.
With 123 floors in total, the building has 6 floors below ground level. Each floor covers an area of 304,081 square meters. The architectural design was carried out by Kohn Pedersen Fox, while Lotte engineering & construction took charge of the development. The building’s structural engineering was handled by Leslie E. Robertson Associates.
This remarkable building goes by different names, such as Lotte World Premium Tower, Two Lotte World Tower, and Lotte Jamsil Super Tower.
One World Trade Center
The world’s seventh-tallest building is located in New York City. It was opened on November 3, 2014, after a construction cost of US $3.9 billion. This impressive building stands at a height of 541.3 meters, with its top floor reaching 386.5 meters.
With a total of 94 floors, 5 of them are situated below the ground level. Each floor covers an extensive area of 325,279 square meters, accommodating a total of 73 lifts for smooth transportation within the building.
David Childs was the architect behind this magnificent structure, while Tishman Construction served as the main contractor. The building’s structural engineer was WSP Cantor Seinuk. Often referred to as 1 WTC Freedom Tower, it is an iconic landmark of the city
Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre
The world’s eighth tallest building is located in Guangzhou. Back in October 2016, it was officially opened to the public. Owned by Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, the building stands at a height of 530 meters, with its top floor positioned at 496 meters.
This impressive structure boasts a total of 111 floors, including 5 underground levels. Each floor covers an area of 507,681 square meters, and visitors can access different parts of the building using its 95 lifts. The architectural design was undertaken by Kohn Pedersen Fox, while China State Construction Engineering served as the primary contractor. The structural engineering was managed by the renowned Arup Group.
Interestingly, the building is known by various names, such as Guangzhou Twin Tower 2, Chow Tai Fook Centre, and Guangzhou East Tower.
Tianjin CTF Finance Centre
The world’s ninth tallest building is situated in Tianjin and was opened in 2019. Owned by Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, it stands at a height of 530 m, with its top floor at 439 m.
With 97 floors, this impressive building has 4 floors below the ground level. Each floor covers an area of 252,144 m², and there are a total of 81 lifts inside.
New World Development served as the developer of this remarkable structure, while the main contractor was China Construction 8th Engineering Division. The building’s structural engineers were Owings & Merrill LLP and Skidmore.
Tianjin Chow Tai Fook Binhai Center is another name by which this iconic building is known.
China Zun
The world’s tenth tallest building is located in Beijing and stands at a height of 527.7 meters. Opening its doors in 2018, this impressive structure has 109 floors, with 8 floors situated below the ground level. Each floor boasts an expansive area of 427,000 square meters. The building was developed by CITIC Real Estate and engineered by Arup, while its architectural design is credited to TFP Farrells, KPF, and BIAD. Among its alternate names are Zhongguo Zun and China Zun. These are just some of the remarkable features that secure this building a place among the top 10 tallest buildings in the world.
